Turkiye has evacuated more than 50,000 residents from 41 settlements in and around its western province of Izmir as firefighters battle wildfires for the second day, according to local authorities. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Monday that the blaze was fanned overnight by winds reaching 40-50kmph (25-30mph) in Kuyucak and Doganbey areas of Izmir. Helicopters, fire-extinguishing aircraft and other vehicles, and more than 1,000 people were trying to extinguish the fires, Yumakli told reporters in Izmir. Later on Monday, the AFAD disaster agency said on X that “a total of over 50,000 citizens from 41 settlements have been temporarily relocated to safe areas”, saying most of them were from fires raging near the western resort of Izmir. Operations at Izmir Adnan Menderes airport were suspended due to the fire, Turkish media reported. Media footage showed teams using tractors with water trailers and helicopters carrying water, as smoke billowed over hills marked with charred trees. Earlier, strong winds grounded the helicopters, leaving two water-bombing aircraft and a large ground crew struggling to battle the flames. The first fire broke out on Sunday between the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes in Izmir, spreading swiftly due to winds of up to 117kmph (75mph), according to Governor Suleyman Elban.

Full report : Nearly 50,000 citizens evacuated as firefighters in Turkey battle to contain wildfires for second day.